Sunday, July 25, 2010

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirled Cheesecake (Happy 21st Molly!)

I didn't cry when she graduated from high school. Well, maybe a snot and a snort or two into an old McDonald's napkin I found in my purse.

I didn't cry when she turned 18. One single solitary soaked pillowcase doesn't count... for crying out loud!

But today the floodgates open because the baby turns 21 at midnight. And tonight while I'm bawling my eyes out, I'll lay out her Barney underpants, her navy blue polka dotted Easter dress with matching bonnet, her white ruffled anklets and her First Communion shoes, and when she gets home from the bars, I'm going to dress her up and rock her to sleep.

She requested a chocolate peanut butter cheesecake for her 21st birthday and I made it under protest. For by making it for her, I'm acknowledging that she really, really is turning 21 and there is not a darn thing I can do to stop it.

In a bowl, combine cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Press onto the bottom of a greased 10" springform pan. Place pan on baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

In a microwave-safe bowl, place the 4 ounces of semisweet chocolate, peanut butter, and corn syrup. Microwave at 30 second intervals until the chocolate is melted. Stir until smooth. Add remaining 1/4 cup of heavy cream and stir well to combine

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Gradually beat in 3/4 cup of the cream. Add eggs and vanilla; beat on low speed just until combined.

Place cheesecake on baking sheet. Bake at 325° for 70-75 minutes or until center is almost set. (I baked mine for 75 minutes and I think it still could have used a few more minutes.)

Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; then let cheesecake cool completely before covering with plastic wrap and refrigerating overnight.

The following day, remove the springform pan and place cheesecake (with bottom pan) on serving platter or cake plate. Place chopped chocolate in a small bowl. In a small saucepan, bring cream to a boil. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth. Cool slightly; pour over cheesecake. Decorate top with chopped Reeses candy and peanuts. Return to refrigerator until topping is set. Store leftovers in the refrigerator

Happy BIRTHING day Mags my friend, and happy birthday to Molly! I agree that time goes way too fast and just think! Before you know it she'll be 30ish and you'll be 60 ish. Now you can kill me! LOL ps - we're home & I'm very, very sad!

LMBO, oh you got me with the McDonalds napkin....only because I have used one for the same purpose. lol. Oh, and the cheesecake? The 4 pounds I have lost would come back on in a heartbeat if that was near me. Good thing you are at least a good 12 hours away from me.

Oh, Mags! It's stunning. Wish I could try a piece. Don't worry... I think 21 was the age when I finally started appreciating my parents and realizing all they had done for me over the years and why they had done things that at the time might have made me angry with them. I keep waiting for my siblings to hit that point. Even at 28, I still love spending time with my mom.

Do you think it's rich enough :-). This sounds fabulous and has gone on my must try list. You can't miss when you combine chocolate and peanut butter. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings...Mary

I know just how you feel, Mags. It's a shock, isn't it? One minute they're children and the next time you look? All grown up.Happy Birthday to your Molly and she can't help but adore that delicious cheesecake!

That is the funniest thing ever! And oh so true. What a good sport she was for letting you take the picture! (or was she just drunk?LOL)They do grow up so fast. My daughter is 15 1/2 and we're looking into the eyeballs of a learner's permit. Soon it will be me snorting into a McDonald's napkin. That cheesecake looks to die for. Seriously, it looks like the best of the best!!!

The slice of cheesecake looks orgasmically delicious. How dare you post a chocolate-peanut butter creation so shortly after I made your peanut butter filled chocolate cake (well actually my mom made it for my birthday)...it was spectacularly decadent and I am already looking forward to having it again next year, and now look....now I have to make this one too. I think in heaven there are not clouds but rather big chocolate and peanut butter pillows of deliciousness.

About Me

This is my documentation of my life after turning 50. Lots of recipes, some healthy, some not so much... tossed up with a hefty dose of sarcasm and motherly love.
My email address: maggielauerrdh(at)yahoo.com